Battery



y sept. 1, 1942.

A. EsPlcER ,BATTERY FirerNov. 29, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 1*, `1942.

. E. SPICER BATTERY Filed Nov. 29, 1940 2 SheetsL-Sheet 2 INVETOR. Ar'ihur \E. Spicer.

'Patented Sept. l, 1942 l. 'i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATTERY Arthur E. Spicer,'Los Angeles County, Calif.

vApplication November 29, 1940, Serial No. 367,750

. 3 Claims. (Cl. 13G-177)' 'I'his invention relates to storage batteries.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved storage battery which may be tilted at sharp angles or may be inverted as in submarine, in aircraft, or in other uses, without causing damage to the battery or impairing its efliciency, and without causing escape of liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-cell storage battery with 'novel venting means. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a storage battery having novelmeans for allowing the same to breathe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel filler tube for a storage battery.

An additional object. of the invention is to provide a novel closure member for a storage battery case.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is` a top plan view of my improved storage battery with the sealing compound omitted;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section through one of the cells taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1;

A Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the filler tube washer;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 1 with the plate and separator members left in full; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary. reduced section, taken on line 5-5, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters I have indicated my improved storage battery generally at Ill. As shown the device III includes an open topped casing I2 closed by a plurality of cell covers I3.

' The casing shown at I2 has an enlarged recess I4 therein adjacent the top and is divided into 40 three cells I5 by two integral partitions I6 which terminate at the vbottom of the recess I4.

Adjacent the tops each of the cells I5 has an enlarged recess I1 therein. At the bottom the casing has a pair of. spaced transverse ribs I8 therein of a predetermined height. I

Each of the cell covers I3 includes a box-like body portion 20 having an enlarged bottom flange 2| thereon which is positioned in the recess I 'I of the cell for which it forms the cover. The cell cover further includes a central terminal sleeve 22 having an aperture 23 therein and at one side thereof another terminal sleeve 24 having an aperture 25 therein. Intermediate the sleeve 24 reduced sleeve 26 having a threaded aperture 21 therein.

On the side thereof opposite the boss 24 the body 2II includes a bottom 2'8 and a connecting transverse wall 29 which joins the central sleeve 22 together with the bottom 28 to form av chamber 30.- The end of the chamber 30 opposite the 'wall 29 is closed by a member 3| positioned in suitable recesses 32 provided in the body and is preferably cemented in place. The member 3l vmay be made integral with the body 20, in which case the chamber 30 will be filled through a suitable plug to be later described.

Before the member 3| is placed in position the chamber 30 is filled with a suitable filter material such as coarsely granulated charcoal and bone as indicated by F.

Opening through the top thereof into the chamber 30 the body 20 has a threaded aperture 33 therein and adjacent the central sleeve 22 the body top includes a reduced boss 34 having an aperture 35 therein opening into-the chamber 30. The aperture 35 is provided for assembly purposes and is thereafter closed by a suitable plug 36 which is retained in place by a suitable sealing material 3l, or as by threading.

Opening into the chamber 30 the central sleeve 2'2 has an aperture 38 therein opening through the bottom thereof and angularly positioned to open into the chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and having the axis thereof aligned with 'the axis of the aperture 35.

As a closure for the aperture 33 I provide a breather member indicated generally at 40.which includes a body portion 4I having an upwardly extending stem 42 and a reduced externally threaded boss 43 positioned in the threaded aper-v ture 33. The boss 43 has a threaded recess 44 therein in lwhich a check valve device 45 is positioned. The body 4I and stem 42 have a conduit v46 therein which at the lower end opens into the recess 44 and the opposite end curves back upon itself as at 41 and extends downwardly to a predetermined distance above the body 4I where it opens into the atmosphere.

. The check valve device 45 allows' unrestricted passageway from the chamber 30 .into and through the conduit 46 and prevents passage from the conduit 46 into the chamber 30.

Positioned in the threaded aperture 21 I provide a ller tube 50 the upper end of which includes an enlarged externally threaded head 5I positioned in the threaded aperture 21. The opposite end of the tube 50 is externally threaded and the adjacent end the cell cover includes a as at 52 and has a valve seat recess 53 therein which communicates with a reduced aperture 54 which in turn communicates with an enlarged recess 66 opening through the top of the tube.

A cap member 56 threadedly engages the lower end of the tube 50 and includes a hollow semicylindrical portion 51 having a pluralityof slots 5l therein. Positioned on top of the tube head 6| I provide a washer member 59 which includes a central apertured member 60 which is SuD- ported from the sides by legs 6|. (See Fig. 3.) To retain the tlller tube in an adjusted position I provide an apertured lock nut 62 and to close the aperture 21 I provide a threaded closure plugin.

Positioned in the semi-cylindrical portion 51 of the plug cap 56 I provide a buoyant ball member 64 having a Wire stem 65 thereon which extends upward and is positioned in the apertured member 60 of the washer 59. When the ball 64 is in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 2 the upper end of the wire stem 65 is iiush with the top of the member 60.

Positioned in the aperture 23 of the central sleeve 22 I provide a positive terminal member which is indicated generally at 66. As shown the terminal 66 includes a, body portion 61 of greater diameter than the boss aperture 23 and a reduced shank portion 68 which is of less diameter than the sleeve aperture 22. Adjacent the upper end of the shank 68 includes a threaded portion 69 and thereabove it includes a reduced tapered terminal post 10. Opening through the bottom thereof the body 61 has a recess 1| therein.

Associated with the terminal member 66 I provide a Ventilating device which is indicated generally at 12. As shown the device 12 includes an upper cup-like member 13 and a lower enclosed chamber member 14. The bottom of the cup member 13 includes an inclined portion 15. The upper wall of the member 14 is inclined upwardly towards the top thereof as indicated at 15'.

A tube 16 at one side of the center of the cup .13 extends upwardly thereinto a predetremined distance and extends downwardly and into the chamber 'member 14 a predetermined distance. The tube 16 is suitably hermetically secured to both the cup member 13 and thechamber member 14.

Opening into the cup 13 at the bottom and on the center thereof I provide a tube 11 which extends downwardly to a predetermined distance above the chamber member 14. The tube 11 is suitably hermetically secured to the cup member 13.

Opening into the chamber member 14 through the top thereof at the side of the central tube 11 opposite the4 tube 16 I provide a tube 18 which extends upward and terminates a predetermined distance below the cup member 13. The tube 18 is suitably hermetically secured to the chamber member 14.

The three tubes 16, 11, and 18 are preferably cast into the center of a grid plate 80 which is of conventional design except it includes a solid central portion 8| in which the tubes are positioned. The central portion 8| extends above the top of the grid plate and at one side thereof to form a securing lip 82.

The cup member 13 is positioned in the recess 1| of the terminal 66 and is suitably hermetically secured thereto.

The terminal 66 is positioned in the aperture 28 of the central sleeve 22 and is clamped in positerminal shank 68 and the sleeve 22 I provide a sealing washer 84 and positioned between the nut 83 and the top of the cover I provide a sealing washer 85. w /j The space between the terminal shank 68 and the walls of the aperture 23 is lled with a suitable mineral oil as clearly shown at 0 in Fig. 2.

After the terminal 66 is properly secured to the cell cover a rubber tube 86 is positioned in the cover aperture 38 and extends through suitably aligned apertures 81 in the terminal body 61, washer 84, and cup 13 and terminates approximately at the center of the cup a predetermined distance from the bottom of the recess 1|.

The tube 86 is placed in position through the assembly aperture 35 before the same is closed y side of the arm portions |0I.

and sealed.

A pair of vertical arms 88 are secured to opposite sides of the terminal body 61 and extend downwardly a predetermined distance and curve to one side to form horizontal arm portions 89.

A transverse bar 90 is secured to the underside of the arm portions 89. 'I'he underside of the bar 90 has a plurality of equally spaced trans- -verse grooves 9| therein, the center one of which receives the securing lip 82 of the grid plate 80 and the remainder receive the securing lips 92 of other standard type DO'sitive grid plates 93.

Positioned in the cover aperture 25 I provide a negative terminal member 95. As shown the terminal 95 includes a body portion 96 of greater diameter than the boss aperture 25 and a reduced shank portion 91 which is of less diameter than the aperture 22. Adjacent the upper end the shank 91 includes a threaded portion 98 and thereabove it includes a reduced tapered connection boss 99.

A pair of vertical arms |00 similar to the arms 88 are secured to opposite sides of the terminal body 96 and extend downward a predetermined distance and curve to one side to form horizontal portions |0|.

A transverse bar |02 is secured to the under- The underside of the bar |02 has a plurality of equally spaced transverse grooves |03 therein to receive the securing lips |04 of a plurality of standard type negative grid plates |05..

The terminal 95 is positioned in the aperture 25 of the boss 24 and is clamped in position by a nut member |08. Positioned between the terminal base 96 and the lower end of the boss I provide a sealing washer |09 and positioned between the nut |08 and the top of the cover I provide a sealing washer ||0.

'I'he space between the terminal shank 91 and the Walls of the aperture 25 is filled with a suitable mineral oil as clearly shown at 0 in Fig. 2.

The positive grid plates are positioned between the negative grid plates and are retained in spaced apart relation by standard type separators |06. All the plates and the separators are iapted to rest on the upper surfaces of the ribs In operation the plug 63 is removed and a suitable liquid acid solution is placed in each of the cells |5 until the level of the liquid in each cell is a predetermined distance above the plates as indicated by the broken line A in Fig. 2.

When the liquid in the cell reaches the proper level the buoyant ball 64 moves upward into engagement with the valve seat 52 and When it does it moves the wire stem 65 upward above the member 60 to'signal the operator that the liquid in tion by a nut member 83. Positioned between the 75 the cell has reached the proper level.

When the battery is charged and starts to function the gas generated in each cell l5 passes through the vent device- 12 therein. To pass through the vent device 12 the gas enters the upper end of the tube 18 and passesgdownward therein into the chamber member 14 and thence upward through the tube 16 into the cup 13. The gas then passes into the tube 86 into the chamber 30 where it is filtered through the material F and passes to the vent device 40.

The check valve 45 of the vent device 40 causes a` pressure tobuild up in the chamber 30, the vent device 12, and in the cell I5 and when this pressure is suiiicient to overcome the weight of the check valve ball it unseats the ball and forms thereby and into and through the conduit 46 to the atmosphere.

If in service the battery I is turned upside down it will still function in a proper manner. When the battery is upside down the liquid in the cells I is approximately at the ulevel indicated by the broken line B in Fig. 2. In this position the gas enters the tube 11 and passes therethrough into the cup 13, thence through the tube 86 into the chamber 30 and therefrom to the atmosphere through the vent device 40.

When the battery is turned on one side or the other the liquid level in the cells is spaced below the vent tubes 11 and 18 as indicated by the broken lines C in Fig. 2.

When the battery is turned on one end or the other the liquid level in the cells is spaced below the vent tubes 11 and 18- as indicated by the brov ken lines D in Fig. 4.

Furthermore when the battery is tilted at any angle either the open end of the vent tube-11 or the open end of the vent tube 18 will be above the liquid level. Thus no matter what position the battery is in, all or portions of the plates will be submerged and at the same time the cells will be properly ventilated to allow correct functioning of the battery.

When the battery I0 is used in a submarine and the submarine is disabled and the battery compartment becomes flooded the gas generated by the battery is neutralized by passing through the nlter material F an-d does not cause deadly chlorine gas to be produced from salt water.

From the foregoing description it will .be apparent that I have provided a novel storage battery which is simple in construction and highly eftlcient in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: f

each cup member, a second conduit means communicating with the terminal cup member and extending to a location below'the grid and a third conduit means extending' from the lower cup member to a location above the grid.

'2. In a battery, a 'casing having a cell therein, a closure for the casing, said closure having a chamber therein, a breather memberincluding a conduit from said chamber to the atmosf phere, said closure having an aperture, a terminal extending through said aperture, said terminal and said closure having aligned apertures, a tube passing through said apertures, said terminal having a recess, said tube extending into said recess and opening into said chamber, a cup member lmounted in said recess, a grid in said cell between the top and bottom thereof, means connecting the terminal member to the grid,

la second cup member in the casingbelow the grid, conduit means affording communication between the cup members, said conduit means 'projecting into the interior of each cup member, a second conduit means communicating with the terminal cup member and extending to a location below the grid and a third conduit means extending from the lower cup member to a 1ocation above the grid.

3. In a battery, a4 casing having a cell therein, a closure for the casing, said closure having a chamber therein, a breather member including a conduit to the atmosphere from said chamber, a one-way valve for the conduit, said closure having an aperture, a terminal extendingthrough said aperture, said terminal and said closure chamber having diagonally disposed aligned apertures, a hard rubber tube passing through said apertures, said terminal having a recess,

said tube extending int said recess, a cup memconduit means affording communication between the cup members, said conduit means projecting into the interior of each cup member, a second conduit means communicating with the terminal cup member and extending to a location below the grid and a third conduit means extending from the lower cup member to a location above the grid.

ARTHUR E. SPICER. 

